Projects for Rehabilitation of Hydro Power Facilities

NEK EAD invests in the rehabilitation and modernization of its HPPs and PSHPPs in order to achieve RES electricity generation increase and efficient use of the country's available hydro power potential.

Project for Rehabilitation of Belmeken-Sestrimo-Chaira Hydro Power Complex and Rehabilitation of 110 kV Switchyard at Vacha-1 HPP and other HPP systems of  integrated control

With the implementation of the Project for Rehabilitation of Belmeken-Sestrimo-Chaira Hydro Power Complex and Rehabilitation of 110 kV Switchyard at Vacha-1 HPP and other HPP systems of integrated control, the National Electric Company will improve the reliability and efficiency of its power plants and will increase their potential.

The Project is being implemented under Grant Agreement №. 049B, signed between the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as Administrator of the Kozloduy International Decommissioning Support Fund (KIDSF) and Natsionalna Elektricheska Kompania EAD, and covers the following sub-projects:

  • Rehabilitation of Chaira PSHPP
  • Rehabilitation of Belmeken PSHPP, Sestrimo HPP and Momina Klisura HPP
  • Rehabilitation of 110 kV Switchyard at Vacha-1 HPP and other HPP systems of integrated control
  • Consulting services

Scope of services, supplies and works under the sub-projects:

Rehabilitation of Chaira PSHPP

This sub-project includes design, manufacture, supply, installation, technical supervision, adjustment, testing and commissioning of a control and monitoring system of the power plant, turbine governors, relay protections, excitation system for the units, system for unit vibrations  monitoring and analysis, turbine equipment, 19 kV switchgears for generator/motor and nodal 19 kV switchgears for units control and protection, technical water pumps, electrical energy  metering systems, ventilation systems, rehabilitation of the generator stators of hydro units 2 and 4, common auxiliary equipment and materials, etc.

Rehabilitation of Belmeken PSHPP, Sestrimo HPP and Momina Klisura HPP

This sub-project includes design, manufacture, supply, installation, technical supervision, adjustment, testing and commissioning of equipment, as follows:

  • Belmeken PSHPP – mechanical brakes control systems, clutches control systems, new nozzles, needles and hydraulic cylinders of the deflectors, generator circuit breakers;
  • Sestrimo HPP - new nozzles, needles and hydraulic cylinders for the deflectors, new hydraulic cylinders for actuating of the spherical valves and their auxiliary valves, mechanical brakes control systems, technical water pumps;
  • Momina Klisura HPP - new spherical valve, hydraulic cylinders for the guide vane mechanisms and turbine discharge valves, turbine equipment, technical water pumps;
  • For the three power plants - new turbine governors, control and monitoring systems of the power plants, excitation systems and control systems of the spherical valves.

Rehabilitation of 110 kV Switchyard at Vacha-1 HPP and other HPP systems of  integrated control

This sub-project includes design, manufacture, supply, installation, technical supervision, adjustment, testing and commissioning of new 110 kV equipment: disconnectors, circuit breakers, surge arresters, protections of the power lines for the Switchyard at Vacha-1 HPP,  electrical energy measuring equipment, control system, excitation systems, turbine governors,  relay protections, turbine equipment and supply of a new turbine generator.

In order to support the Project implementation, the Grant Agreement includes consulting services provided by a Consultant of the Project Management Unit (PMU Consultant). The task of the Consultant is to assist NEK EAD in contracts awarding and implementation, as well as with regard to evaluation of the results achieved under the Project.  

To date, four contracts have been signed to ensure the Project implementation. Their total value amounts to EUR 42.43 million, as EUR 15.91 million of them are NEK’s own funds and                 EUR 26.52 million are funds from the KIDSF grant. The Project is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.